Lee S. Downie: Friday should be honored

Regarding the Oct. 7 Point of View “Just another statue that won't stand test of time”: The General Assembly did not speak for this North Carolinian when it nominated Billy Graham for inclusion in the U.S. Capitol’s Statuary Hall, an election consequence of great distress to me.

Graham is quite willing to dismiss my lifetime of Jewish friends, teachers, colleagues and in-laws to the darkness for their beliefs. No way will I assent to Graham’s elevation without objection.

I’d rather see Andy Griffith in the Capitol than a man who counseled at least one U.S. president against the dangers of Jewry.

Phooey. In Graham’s place, I modestly propose the name of William C. Friday, a man who lived his university’s motto: “Lux et Libertas.” We could use more of that light these days.

This story was originally published October 13, 2015 at 4:35 PM with the headline "Lee S. Downie: Friday should be honored."